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"Captain Ukitake, why are you here?"
Aozaki Reiji watched Matsumoto Rangiku and Ichimaru Gin leave after visiting him.
He turned his head and saw a white-haired handsome man, pushed into the room, lying on a hospital bed.
Yoruichi Shihōin had left the Fourth Division early yesterday morning.
As the Captain of the 2nd Division, she had many things to attend to.
"I haven't been feeling well these past few days, coughing up a lot of blood, so I'm receiving treatment at the Fourth Division."
Jūshirō Ukitake sat up in bed, covering his mouth with his hand and coughing twice.
Aozaki Reiji worriedly asked, "Coughing blood? That shouldn't be a minor issue, should it?"
"It's just coughing blood, it happens often. You don't need to worry, Junior Brother, I'm already used to it," Jūshirō Ukitake said with a smile, waving his hand.
"So that's how it is, already used to it…" Aozaki Reiji murmured, then suddenly snapped back to reality, "Don't just get used to something so terrible, Senior Brother!"
Jūshirō Ukitake smiled faintly, and before he could speak, a familiar voice rang out.
"Third Seat Reiji, don't shout in the ward; you'll disturb the other patients!"
"Yes, I know."
Because of his past life memories, Aozaki Reiji subconsciously felt that making a loud noise in a hospital was indeed bad behavior, so he said with a guilty conscience.
He turned his head and saw a familiar figure, and his eyes immediately widened.
"Yamada Seinosuke, why are you here?"
"Ha!? This is the Fourth Division, isn't it perfectly normal for me to be here?"
Yamada Seinosuke looked displeased.
Compared to watching two sickly people here, he would rather stay by Unohana Retsu's side, serving her every need.
"Also, Third Seat Reiji, as the Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division, by what right do you, a mere Third Seat, call me by my given name?"
Aozaki Reiji scoffed, "It's only one rank difference!"
"A difference is still a difference!"
"I'm also a special advisor to the Technology Development Bureau, we should be on the same rank!"
"Technology Development Bureau, what kind of organization is that? You made it up, didn't you?"
"Alright, fellow colleagues should prioritize harmony, don't argue anymore," Jūshirō Ukitake said earnestly.
Unexpectedly, both of them turned to him simultaneously and said in unison:
"Senior Brother, shut up. I know this guy too well; we absolutely cannot indulge him."
"Captain Ukitake, please focus on recovering. Coming to the Fourth Division every other day isn't a solution."
It was unclear whose words were more hurtful, but Jūshirō Ukitake immediately fell silent, lowering his head in disappointment.
"By the way, Senior Brother, as a noble, shouldn't you go to the Central Medical Institute?" Aozaki Reiji asked, puzzled.
"Idiot, the Central Medical Institute only accepts members of the Four Great Noble Clans and higher-ranking nobles. Captain Ukitake, as a lower-ranking noble, isn't qualified to receive treatment there," Yamada Seinosuke said unceremoniously.
Upon hearing this, Jūshirō Ukitake buried his head even lower.
"You, show some respect to my Senior Brother!" Aozaki Reiji said irritably, "Then, as a Captain of the Gotei 13, it should be fine to prepare a private ward for him, right?"
Although he knew the other person was only verbally malicious, harsh words were still difficult to make one feel good.
"With such a big incident happening the night before last, it's already good enough that we could prepare a luxurious ward for you two," Yamada Seinosuke said expressionlessly, "You have no right to be picky."
"Even if the ward can't be changed, at least change to a better nurse," Aozaki Reiji sighed helplessly, "Why does it have to be you… Where did Captain Unohana go?"
"You, you want Captain Unohana to be your nurse? Are you worthy?" Yamada Seinosuke gave him no face, speaking the plain truth.
Aozaki Reiji, for once, didn't retort, nodding and saying, "Right now, I'm not worthy, but in the future, it might be different."
"In the future? What, are you going to become the Captain-Commander in the future?"
"Who can say for sure?" Aozaki Reiji said, beaming, "The attacker this time even said I was the Captain-Commander's successor."
Jūshirō Ukitake raised his hand and said, "Junior Brother, isn't it a bit inappropriate to say such things?"
Aozaki Reiji pouted, "What's so bad about it? Knowing that his disciple is recognized by others, a teacher would be happy too!"
"That's true, a teacher would naturally be happy to see his student succeed, but I feel like something is off."
"What's off?"
"I don't know," Jūshirō Ukitake shook his head.
"If you don't know, then there's nothing wrong," Aozaki Reiji said seriously, "Then there's nothing wrong with it."
"Is that so?" Jūshirō Ukitake murmured, a little confused.
"Then should I congratulate you, future Captain-Commander?"
Contrary to his words, Yamada Seinosuke said with a sarcastic smile and a shrug.
"I'll take that as a blessing."
Aozaki Reiji pretended not to hear the sarcasm in Yamada Seinosuke's words, shamelessly choosing to accept it.
"Indeed, Seinosuke is disliked by everyone for his tendency to be difficult and his terrible personality, but if you look for it, there are good things about him…"
"Don't call me so intimately. But now that I think about it, your words are quite hurtful, aren't they?" Yamada Seinosuke said with a cold laugh.
"Why do I have to stay with someone like you who only uses verbal attacks?"
Aozaki Reiji ignored Yamada Seinosuke's words and grumbled to himself.
"Even if Captain Unohana can't come, having the cute Third Seat Isane would be fine."
"Where do you see that big girl as cute?" Yamada Seinosuke tilted his head, "Speaking of which, compared to Isane, you're quite short yourself!"
"I'm not that short… You malicious people wouldn't understand."
Aozaki Reiji said triumphantly:
"That kind of figure isn't a bad thing in my eyes; rather, it makes Isane even cuter!"
"You're just a pervert, aren't you!?" Yamada Seinosuke felt a bit helpless to retort, and glanced towards the door.
He wasn't sure if he misheard, but he thought he heard a slight thud just now.
Outside the door, a woman sat on the ground, rubbing her forehead.
The woman was tall, with golden eyes, somewhat messy silver-grey short hair, braided into several thin strands, and wearing a pair of red bar-shaped earrings.
Fourth Division Third Seat, Kotetsu Isane!
"Isane, are you alright?" Unohana Retsu stood in front of Kotetsu Isane, reaching out to pull her up.
"I'm fine, Captain!" Kotetsu Isane quickly stood up, saying nervously.
"But your face is very red, are you sick?" Unohana Retsu placed her hand on Kotetsu Isane's forehead, "It seems like you have a fever."
Feeling the warmth of Unohana Retsu's hand, Kotetsu Isane's face immediately turned even redder.
"No, I'm fine, I just accidentally spilled the medicine," Kotetsu Isane quickly lowered her head, looking at the medicine scattered on the floor.
This child was indeed a bit timid and easily shy, but just spilling medicine shouldn't make her face this red…
Unohana Retsu was a bit puzzled.
But seeing Kotetsu Isane diligently tidying up the medicine, she didn't say much more and looked towards the luxurious ward.
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